My dentist says I have a cavity and that I need a filling. But why doesn’t my tooth hurt?

It’s common to have a cavity without feeling any discomfort. Cavities start as a small spot of decay in a tooth and continue to spread and grow without treatment.

This is one reason why we so strongly encourage routine preventive exams. Seeing you at six-month intervals allows us to monitor your oral health and stay a step ahead of problems like decay.

Today, in addition to routine visual exams, we use state-of-the-art technology like digital x-rays that can help us locate decay early on. The high-resolution images produced with these x-rays show us even the tiniest cavities and allow us to resolve the problem in the most conservative manner possible.

If we wait to treat a tooth until you experience discomfort, the odds are that significant damage has already occurred. The longer you put off treatment, the more complicated the problem becomes and more invasive procedures will be necessary to correct it. Our job is to catch and treat problems before they become symptomatic.

In a perfect world, you would brush and floss conscientiously, see your dentist for semi-annual exams and cleanings, and never get a cavity. At Vienna Family Dental and Facial Esthetics, we do our best to make our practice a warm, friendly, and welcoming environment to help you feel good about visiting us. Please call us to learn how we can help you enjoy a healthy, problem-free smile.